Knotfest Australia Is Officially A No-Go In 2026, Fest Will Return In 2027

Sorry, maggots — it’s official. Knotfest Australia is skipping 2026, but don’t go burning your jumpsuits just yet. Organisers have confirmed the fest will return in 2027, promising its heaviest and “best yet” edition when it claws its way back onto our shores.

In a joint statement with Destroy All Lines and TEG, organisers thanked fans for three huge years of carnage and chaos before announcing the break. “After three incredible years – made unforgettable by the fans and the artists that shared the stage across each lineup – we’ll be taking a short break in 2026,” they said. “Thank you for your passion, patience, and loyalty. We can’t wait to share what’s next and to make 2027 a truly unmissable experience.”

“We can’t wait to share what’s next and to make 2027 a truly unmissable experience.”

The last Aussie Knotfest, headlined by Slipknot themselves alongside BABYMETAL and Slaughter To Prevail, cemented the event as one of the country’s most vital fixtures for heavy music fans. Polaris frontman Jamie Hails called it “a moment for the history books” earlier this year.

But while 2026 won’t have Knotfest, the heavy music calendar is still pretty choccas. ICYMI: Parkway Drive have stepped in with their own new travelling circus: Park Waves Festival, kicking off in February with dates across Perth, Adelaide, Geelong, Wollongong, Maitland, Byron Bay and the Sunshine Coast. With The Amity Affliction, Northlane, Alpha Wolf and Story Of The Year on board, it’s shaping up to keep the pits very much alive until Knotfest storms back in 2027.

So, chin up maggots. Slipknot’s metal carnival is just taking a breather. You’ll have plenty of breakdowns to tide you over. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that nothing hits harder than a comeback.